Cost of Living: St. Johns County vs. New Jersey — A Real Comparison
By Josh Rogers
Quick Answer: The cost-of-living comparison between New Jersey and St. Johns County almost always favors Florida — often significantly. The combination of no state income tax, dramatically lower property taxes, and lower overall living costs makes the financial case compelling for most New Jersey buyers. This post walks through the actual numbers category by category.
Why New Jersey Buyers Are Running This Comparison
New Jersey has one of the highest costs of living in the country. Property taxes are among the highest nationally. State income tax is real and progressive. The overall burden of living in New Jersey — housing, taxes, and carrying costs — has pushed a consistent stream of buyers toward states like Florida.
St. Johns County has emerged as one of the specific destinations New Jersey buyers land on: strong schools to match the NJ suburban quality they’re used to, a planned community lifestyle that feels familiar, and financial relief that’s often dramatic.
Let’s compare category by category.
Income Tax
New Jersey: NJ has a graduated income tax ranging from 1.4% to 10.75% for high earners. A household earning $200,000 in New Jersey pays approximately $11,000–$15,000 in state income tax depending on filing status and deductions.
Florida: Zero. No state income tax.
Annual savings estimate for a $200K household: $11,000–$15,000 per year.
For a $300,000 household income (common in the NJ suburbs), savings can reach $20,000+ per year. This is often the most significant single line item in the comparison.
Property Taxes
New Jersey: New Jersey has the highest average effective property tax rate in the country — approximately 2.2%–2.5% statewide, with many desirable suburban counties (Bergen, Morris, Monmouth, Somerset, Hunterdon) running 2.0%–3.0% effective rates.
On a $600,000 home in Morris County, you might pay $12,000–$18,000 per year in property taxes. On a $900,000 home in Bergen County, $20,000–$27,000 is not unusual.
St. Johns County: Effective property tax rates typically run 1.0%–1.4% of assessed value. On a $600,000 home, that’s roughly $6,000–$8,400 per year. Florida’s Homestead Exemption provides further reduction once you establish primary residence.
Note on CDD fees: Master-planned communities with CDDs have an additional annual fee on the tax bill. Always verify exact amounts with the St. Johns County Tax Collector. Even accounting for CDD fees, the total property tax burden in St. Johns County is almost universally lower than comparable New Jersey properties.
Annual savings on a $600K home: $6,000–$12,000 per year in property taxes, before Homestead Exemption.
Home Prices
This is where the comparison gets nuanced.
New Jersey: A $600,000 home in NJ’s suburban counties typically buys you a 3-4 bedroom older home on a reasonable lot in a competitive school district.
St. Johns County: $600,000 buys you a new or near-new construction 4-5 bedroom home with 3-car garage in a master-planned community with resort amenities. The quality and size differential is significant.
If you’re moving from NJ and your home equity has grown substantially, your dollar buys more house of better quality in St. Johns County.
Cost of Everyday Living
Groceries: Comparable or slightly lower in St. Johns County. National grocery chains are present and competitive.
Utilities: Natural gas is not a significant utility in Florida (most homes use electric heat pumps). Electric bills are higher in summer due to air conditioning. Heating costs are minimal. Overall annual utility costs are generally comparable to NJ for most buyers.
Auto insurance: Florida auto insurance rates have risen in recent years and can be comparable to or higher than NJ for some driver profiles. Get quotes before assuming significant savings.
Dining out: Restaurants in St. Johns County are generally moderately priced for their quality. NJ’s restaurant scene is strong (proximity to NYC), but St. Johns County’s costs per meal are typically equal or lower.
Gas: Generally cheaper in Florida than NJ.
Healthcare Costs
Healthcare cost comparisons are complex and depend heavily on your insurance situation. Generally:
- Healthcare providers in St. Johns County and Jacksonville bill at rates that are broadly comparable to NJ for insured patients
- Out-of-pocket costs depend on your insurance plan, not the state
- Florida Medicare beneficiaries generally have good access to providers
For retirees: Florida has no tax on Social Security or pension income; New Jersey taxes these (with some exemptions for low-income earners). This is meaningful for retirement income planning.
The Total Picture: A Real Household Example
Consider a household earning $250,000 per year owning a $700,000 home. Moving from New Jersey to St. Johns County:
| Category | NJ Annual Cost | St. Johns County | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | ~$18,000 | $0 | ~$18,000 |
| Property Tax | ~$16,000 | ~$8,000 | ~$8,000 |
| CDD fees (if applicable) | N/A | ~$1,500 | ($1,500) |
| Homestead Exemption | N/A | ~($800) | ~$800 |
Rough estimated annual savings: $25,000+ on these two line items alone.
These are illustrative estimates. Your actual numbers depend on your specific income, home value, community, and circumstances. Consult a CPA or financial planner with Florida experience for your specific situation.
What You Give Up
Honest accounting requires noting what NJ has that St. Johns County doesn’t:
- Proximity to New York City. NYC is a 1-hour drive from much of northern NJ. It’s a 2-hour flight from Jacksonville. This matters for business, culture, and relatives.
- Dense restaurant and cultural scene. NJ’s proximity to NYC creates a restaurant and arts culture that St. Johns County can’t match.
- Walkable downtown communities. Many NJ suburbs have charming, walkable downtown areas. St. Johns County communities are car-dependent.
- Autumn. NJ fall foliage is real and beautiful.
The Bottom Line
The financial case for moving from New Jersey to St. Johns County is genuinely strong. Income tax savings alone often represent more than a typical annual mortgage payment. Property tax savings are meaningful. And the housing quality you buy for comparable or lower prices is often better.
The non-financial trade-offs are real too — proximity to relatives, the NJ-area culture, and the social rebuild of leaving an established network behind.
Most New Jersey buyers who’ve made this move describe it as one of the best financial decisions of their lives — while also acknowledging the emotional complexity of leaving a place they’d been for decades.
If you want to talk through your specific numbers and whether the move makes sense for your situation, reach out at StJohnsWithJosh.com/contact.
